Springdale Graphite Hits 99.97% Purity in Marubeni-Coordinated Tests

Purification Breakthrough at Springdale

International Graphite Limited (ASX: IG6) has announced a significant milestone in its development of the Springdale Graphite Project in Western Australia. A bench-scale purification testwork program, coordinated by Japan's Marubeni Corporation, has successfully produced graphite concentrates exceeding 99.95% total graphitic carbon (TGC), meeting the stringent purity requirements for lithium-ion battery anodes.

This result is a critical validation of Springdale's potential as a reliable source of battery-grade graphite, a commodity increasingly vital to the global electric vehicle and energy storage markets. The testwork involved multiple wash cycles on concentrates extracted from drilling and bulk sampling in 2023, with peak purity reaching 99.97% TGC.

Strategic Collaboration with Marubeni

Marubeni Corporation, a global powerhouse in commodity trading and investment, has been working closely with International Graphite under a non-binding memorandum of understanding. The Japanese conglomerate's involvement underscores the strategic importance of securing high-quality graphite supply chains to support Japan's expanding battery and motor vehicle manufacturing sectors.

Recently, Marubeni representatives toured the Springdale mining leases and the Collie Graphite Processing and R&D Facility, where downstream processing and spheroidisation of graphite concentrates are underway. These visits have advanced discussions on a potential collaboration to bring the Springdale-Collie mine-to-market strategy to fruition.

Market Implications and Future Outlook

International Graphite's Managing Director Andrew Worland highlighted the significance of partnering with a respected market leader like Marubeni. He emphasized the growing demand from Japanese battery gigafactories and the value of offering a secure, Australian-sourced supply of high-purity graphite.

While the company remains cautious, noting that no definitive binding agreements have yet been reached, the successful testwork results and ongoing engagement with Marubeni position International Graphite favorably in the competitive battery materials landscape.

Looking ahead, further purification testwork programs are planned, including on spheroidised graphite concentrates, to refine product quality and meet evolving market specifications. The company’s integrated approach, combining mining at Springdale with downstream processing at Collie, aims to deliver a vertically integrated supply chain that appeals to global customers prioritizing ESG credentials and supply security.

Australian Graphite’s Growing Role

International Graphite is part of a broader Australian push to become a key player in the critical minerals supply chain for batteries and clean energy technologies. Its operations, certified to ISO9001:2015, reflect a commitment to quality and environmental standards that resonate with international buyers.

As global demand for lithium-ion batteries accelerates, the ability to produce battery-grade graphite domestically offers Australia a strategic advantage. International Graphite’s progress at Springdale and collaboration with Marubeni could serve as a blueprint for future partnerships linking Australian resources to Asian manufacturing hubs.